History of TREF

The Texas Retailers Education Foundation was founded by the Texas Retailers Association in 2001 through an initial grant from the National Retailers Federation. YOR (Youth Opportunities in Retailing) is the national program established to provide all students with a strong foundation of academic, personal, and professional skills that will prepare them for successful careers. The Texas YOR was founded in 2002 to bring these skills to high school students of Texas. The Texas Retailers Education Foundation (TREF) was given a three year $75,000 grant from the University of Houston to continue its goal. The Texas YOR was expanded from Austin to San Marcos, Houston, Clear Lake, and Arlington.

In August of 2004, the Texas Retailers Education Foundation received a grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to implement the National Professional Certification in Customer Service through the Texas YOR. With this grant, TREF will be able to introduce and prepare students for the National Professional Certification in Customer Service in six school districts throughout the state. TREF will also be able to provide scholarships to graduating students who pass the certification.

EDUCATION NEWS

Fall 2007

Retail Human Resource Workshop

May 9, 2007

Annual Golf Scholarship Fundraiser! Battlefield Golf Course in Houston, Texas. To register, send an email to info@tref.info, or register on-line at www.txretailers.org.

January 1, 2007

Summer Internship available for college students. Apply to info@tref.info.

May 10, 2006

Organized Retail Theft Conference to be held in Houston. - Click Here for more.

February 1, 2006

Retailers Donate $250,000 to College for all Texans Foundation to aid graduating seniors. - Click Here for more.